The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-06
SOME ADVICE TO CAMPERS.
How Life in Tent NJ y he Made Comfortabi,
for


Ruth Hall, in Good Housekeeping.
Those who expect to spend a in the
woods expect, too, of course. to be deprived, for
that season. of many comforts and to depend on
makesh.fts in their place But there is right
way and wrong way of camping, of all else.
and 1t is astonishing how easy the work can be
made. and how pleasant the surroundings, when
the right way is chosen. It is an axiom OF out
ing that one must go once to find out how to go
again; but, when the wisdom comes at second
Eand, 1t may prove just as profitable as that
bought by ex perence
First then: Don't renounce all Injuries. A
steamer-chair won't take up much room in
packing, and in week or two of wood-life you
will grow very tired of sitting on the ground,
even in hammocks. That hint is more especially
for the cnapsron's benefit. Further IF You
have man-servant in ordinary don't let all the
women get all the meals! 1t will not only prove
confusion worse confounded," but very confin-
ing to the ladies we'll. If there six OF them
in the party IF not, exc out that number with
some of the mem, let the three couples take
meal each day, the entire charge of providing
and setting it upon the tabe-and let it be
progressive service. where the care of breakfast
day means dinner the next with tea the
next, with provIso that those who get meal
do not wash its dishes. This plan reduces the
hardest work to very simple fashion.
If it is possible. have one of the men knock
up a table and benches for the mahZeit Take
dishes enough set this table decently, and.
except in case of rain, they can be kept there
when not in use. Should one OF the party be
ingenious land if you camp IN New ENGLAND, he is
sure to be- he might make a stove, which seems
truly much more formidable in telling than
the Decd OF which | wot was square.
front for feeding the fire, and another In the
back for stove-pipe. The top was removable,
and had two round holes, which
kettles gridiron, and were able TODD all things
but bake us easily on the home range
A soapbox, with partitions run In by way OF
shelves. makes a capital cupboard to hold salt,
sugar, flour, etc. A small, low table, to stand
near the stove and hold cooking utensils, is a
help on the. slippery wood ground. where every
step seems to tell
In the ladies' tent, I should strongly advise
one of those folding sewing tables, which can be
easily transp ported, and will prove invaluable
where there several women and their ba-
longings packed in together Don't forget a
small hanging mirror and pin-cushlon, nor some
of those little wall bags which used for
catch alls" at home and will wonderfully
economic space aud time in ssarehins
small trunk together. instead Of num-
Der of satcheis, it will prove much better in the
same way, and the trunk, closed. also serves as
a seat by day and repository for one PERSONS
garments at night You will probably be made
to understand at the outset that nothing should
be hung pinned up about your tent which
waterproof Still there will be available
places, and to each of these should be appended
receptaoles FOR the thousand and one trifies a
woman has need of. and which must be. at such
a time. kept in as small a space as possible and
out of the way.
Take plenty of blankets and pillows il posi-
Ole, ana uOnG forget the pillow cases nor tue
sheets; but folding cots are not expensive nor
very cumberson. and. having tried both kinds, L
would advocate this last sort of couch, certainly
for ladies.
OF course, the men know what to wear, and
will wear it. For women an iron gray flannel is
by far the best thing. with, if convenient one
entire change of dress in case of need. A box of
tourist ruffling 10 the concisest lingerie, or a
long. black lace scarf wound about ones neck
looks pretty, and is handy. soft cap Tam O
Shanter. the like) is the most appropriate
and convenient head gear. Don't carry lot OF
pretty things with you, for they will only DE 10
the way, and If your heart is set on dressing
up" you had better stay at home.
If you camp near enough an ice house to get a
supply once in whiIe a covered barrel, sun
in tho ground, make refrigerator for butter,
etc. Unless the expedition is to be into verita-
bic wilderness-malice prepenss-and if it be
more for the fact of camping than for any par
ticuar situation, let me strongly urge that you
pitch your tent not too far from some farm
house, where fresh food may be obtained once
in while. If the deprivations are necessary
and some are-bear them with all grace bu,
make the holiday easy is ssble
for holiday season to be-
A few glass lanterns will be needed, and then
many of the Chinese variety as you have a
mind for will add much to the beauty and
pleasure of the evening